A prepayment electric energy meter with replaceable numeric keypad

Abstract

The utility model provides a kind of prepayment electric energy meter with replaceable digital keyboard, it is related to electric energy meter field, prepayment electric energy meter with replaceable digital keyboard includes electric energy meter main body, installation groove is opened in electric energy meter main body, keyboard assembly is installed in installation groove, electric energy meter main body one end is hinged with cover plate one end, cover plate other end is detachably connected with the other end of electric energy meter main body, cover plate is used to limit keyboard assembly, prepayment electric energy meter with replaceable digital keyboard provided by the utility model is detachably connected by keyboard assembly and electric energy meter main body, user can conveniently and quickly replace keyboard by oneself, without replacing entire electric energy meter, greatly reduce maintenance cost and time cost, after keyboard assembly installation is completed, cover plate can be turned over, cover plate is pressed on keyboard assembly, realize the limitation of keyboard assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of electricity meters, and in particular to a prepaid electricity meter with a replaceable digital keypad. Background Technology

[0002] Early electricity metering relied primarily on mechanical meters, requiring manual meter reading and billing, which was inefficient, prone to errors, and difficult to collect payments. Subsequent prepaid meters, such as contact IC card recharge meters, contactless RFID card recharge meters, and remote communication recharge meters, solved some of these problems, but each had its own drawbacks. For example, the card slots of contact IC cards were easily damaged, contactless RFID cards were susceptible to electromagnetic interference, and remote communication recharge carried the risk of data transmission errors. Therefore, keypad-based prepaid meters were developed.

[0003] In the African market, prepaid keypad meters typically use a numeric keypad for recharge token input. Traditional meters have an integrated keypad and casing. Due to the hot climate and high usage frequency in Africa, the keypad on these meters ages faster. Furthermore, the keys are often made of silicone, and high-temperature aging can damage the silicone's insulation structure, reducing its insulation resistance and increasing the risk of leakage and short circuits, thus affecting the electrical safety performance of the device. If aging and wear occur, traditional meters require replacing the entire meter, which is cumbersome and wasteful of resources.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a new prepaid energy meter with a replaceable digital keypad to solve the above-mentioned technical problems. Utility Model Content

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, this utility model provides a prepaid energy meter with a replaceable numeric keypad.

[0006] The prepaid electricity meter with replaceable numeric keypad provided by this utility model includes an electricity meter body, an installation groove on the electricity meter body, a keypad assembly installed in the installation groove, one end of the electricity meter body is hinged to one end of a cover plate, and the other end of the cover plate is detachably connected to the other end of the electricity meter body. The cover plate is used to limit the position of the keypad assembly.

[0007] The keyboard assembly includes a housing, a keyboard circuit board, a protective cover, and multiple keys arranged in an array. The size of the housing is adapted to the size of the mounting slot. The keyboard circuit board is installed inside the housing, and a connector is fixedly installed on the keyboard circuit board. The bottom wall of the mounting slot is provided with a connector socket adapted to the size of the connector. Multiple keys are installed on the keyboard circuit board. The protective cover is detachably connected to the housing, and the protective cover has multiple holes for multiple keys to be inserted.

[0008] Preferably, two elastic plates are fixedly connected to both sides of the top of the outer shell. The elastic plates are inverted L-shaped structures and the top of the elastic plates are arc-shaped structures. Two limiting grooves are opened on both sides of the protective cover, and positioning grooves are opened on the inner walls of the limiting grooves.

[0009] Preferably, a fastening bolt is movably inserted into a through hole at one end of the cover plate, and the fastening bolt is threadedly connected to the inner wall of a groove in the main body of the electricity meter.

[0010] Preferably, the bottom of the protective cover is fixedly connected to two elastic elements, and the telescopic ends of the two elastic elements are fixedly connected to a heat dissipation element. Both longitudinal ends of the protective cover are recessed inward with hand-held grooves, and the inner wall of the hand-held grooves is provided with multiple downwardly inclined heat dissipation holes.

[0011] Preferably, the elastic element includes a bottom post, a top post, and a spring. The top of the top post is fixedly connected to the bottom of the protective cover, the bottom of the bottom post is fixedly connected to the heat sink, the top of the bottom post is slidably disposed in a groove opened at the bottom of the top post, and the two ends of the spring are respectively fixed to the bottom wall of the groove opened at the top of the bottom post and the bottom wall of the groove opened at the top of the top post.

[0012] Preferably, the heat sink includes a heat-conducting plate and multiple heat dissipation fins, with the bottom ends of the two base pillars fixedly connected to the heat-conducting plate, and the multiple heat dissipation fins fixedly connected to the heat-conducting plate.

[0013] Compared with related technologies, the prepaid energy meter with replaceable digital keypad provided by this utility model has the following advantages:

[0014] Tighten the fastening bolts so that one end of the fastening bolts moves out of the groove in the main body of the electricity meter. Flip the cover plate, and users can easily and quickly replace the keyboard themselves without replacing the entire electricity meter, which greatly reduces maintenance costs and time costs. After the keyboard assembly is installed, the cover plate can be flipped and pressed on the keyboard assembly to limit the keyboard assembly.

[0015] The elastic plates on both sides of the outer shell can be pulled, causing the top of the elastic plate to move away from the end of the protective cover. When the top of the elastic plate disengages from the positioning groove, the compressed spring releases its elastic force, causing one end of the protective cover to lift up, making it easier to remove the protective cover and thus facilitating the inspection and maintenance of the keyboard circuit board and keys.

[0016] The compressed spring keeps the heat-conducting plate in close contact with the keyboard circuit board, facilitating heat conduction. The heat dissipation holes facilitate heat dissipation from the heat sink fins, and the downward-sloping structure of the heat dissipation holes prevents external water from easily entering the casing. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1A schematic diagram of the structure of the prepaid energy meter with replaceable digital keypad provided by this utility model;

[0018] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The diagram shows a decomposed structural representation of the structure.

[0019] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A partial structural diagram of the structure shown;

[0020] Figure 4 for Figure 3 The diagram shows a decomposed structural representation of the structure.

[0021] Figure 5 for Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the bottom structure of the outer casing is shown;

[0022] Figure 6 for Figure 4 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the protective cover.

[0023] Figure 7 for Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the bottom structure of the protective cover shown;

[0024] Figure 8 for Figure 4 The diagram shows the structural position of the heat-conducting plate and heat dissipation fins after the protective cover is connected to the outer shell.

[0025] Figure 9 for Figure 6 A cross-sectional structural schematic diagram of the elastic element shown;

[0026] Figure 10 A schematic diagram of the keyboard structure for mounting a high-contrast display screen on the main body of an electricity meter.

[0027] The following are the labels in the diagram: 1. Electricity meter body; 2. Mounting slot; 3. Cover plate; 4. Outer shell; 5. Keyboard circuit board; 6. Protective cover; 7. Button; 8. Socket; 9. Elastic plate; 10. Limiting slot; 11. Positioning slot; 12. Fastening bolt; 13. Bottom column; 14. Top column; 15. Spring; 16. Heat-conducting plate; 17. Heat dissipation fins; 18. Heat dissipation holes; 19. Handheld slot; 20. Connecting plug; 21. Connecting socket. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0029] Please refer to the following: Figures 1-10 ,in, Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the prepaid energy meter with replaceable digital keypad provided by this utility model; Figure 2 for Figure 1 The diagram shows a decomposed structural representation of the structure. Figure 3 for Figure 2 A partial structural diagram of the structure shown; Figure 4 for Figure 3 The diagram shows a decomposed structural representation of the structure. Figure 5 for Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the bottom structure of the outer casing is shown; Figure 6 for Figure 4 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the protective cover. Figure 7 for Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the bottom structure of the protective cover shown; Figure 8 for Figure 4 The diagram shows the structural position of the heat-conducting plate and heat dissipation fins after the protective cover is connected to the outer shell. Figure 9 for Figure 6 A cross-sectional structural schematic diagram of the elastic element shown; Figure 10 A schematic diagram of the keyboard structure for mounting a high-contrast display screen on the main body of an electricity meter.

[0030] In the specific implementation process, such as Figures 1-10 As shown, the device includes an electricity meter body 1, an installation groove 2 on the electricity meter body 1, a keyboard assembly installed in the installation groove 2, one end of the electricity meter body 1 is hinged to one end of a cover plate 3, and the other end of the cover plate 3 is detachably connected to the other end of the electricity meter body 1. The cover plate 3 is used to limit the position of the keyboard assembly.

[0031] It should be noted that the main control circuit board is installed inside the main body 1 of the electricity meter. The main control circuit board integrates a metering unit, a storage unit, a relay control unit, a communication interface unit, and a keyboard interface for connecting to the keyboard assembly.

[0032] The keyboard assembly includes a housing 4, a keyboard circuit board 5, a protective cover 6, and multiple keys 7 arranged in an array. The size of the housing 4 is adapted to the size of the mounting slot 2. The keyboard circuit board 5 is installed inside the housing 4, and a connector 20 is fixedly installed on the keyboard circuit board 5. The bottom wall of the mounting slot 2 is provided with a connector socket 21 adapted to the size of the connector 20. The connector socket 21 is electrically connected to the keyboard interface on the main control circuit board. Through the plug-in cooperation of the connector 20 and the connector socket 21, the replaceable keyboard assembly is electrically connected to the main body of the energy meter 1 and data is transmitted. All the keys 7 are installed on the keyboard circuit board 5. On the upper part, a protective cover 6 is detachably connected to the outer shell 4. The protective cover 6 has multiple holes 8 for multiple keys 7 to be inserted. With the detachable keyboard assembly, when the keyboard has problems such as key 7 wear or malfunction, the fastening bolt 12 can be tightened so that one end of the fastening bolt 12 is removed from the groove of the main body 1 of the energy meter and the cover plate 3 can be flipped. Users can easily and quickly replace the keyboard themselves without replacing the entire energy meter, which greatly reduces maintenance costs and time costs. After the keyboard assembly is installed, the cover plate 3 can be flipped and pressed on the keyboard assembly to limit the keyboard assembly.

[0033] The keypad component of this energy meter can be configured with a variety of different key layouts and functions, such as a keypad with large keys and a high-contrast display designed for the elderly; or a keypad with shortcut keys designed for users with special operating habits, to meet the personalized needs of different users.

[0034] Two elastic plates 9 are fixedly connected to both sides of the top of the outer casing 4. The elastic plates 9 have an inverted L-shaped structure and an arc-shaped top. Two limiting grooves 10 are opened on both sides of the protective cover 6. Positioning grooves 11 are opened on the inner wall of the limiting grooves 10. When inspecting the keyboard circuit board 5 and the keys 7, the elastic plates 9 on both sides of the outer casing 4 can be pulled, so that the top of the elastic plate 9 moves away from the end of the protective cover 6. When the top of the elastic plate 9 disengages from the positioning groove 11, the compressed spring 15 releases its elastic force. This causes one end of the protective cover 6 to be raised, making it easy to remove. After maintenance, the protective cover 6 can be lowered. The inner wall of the limiting groove 10 presses the arc-shaped structure of the elastic plate 9, causing the top of the elastic plate 9 to move away from the protective cover 6. When the top of the elastic plate 9 moves to the positioning groove 11, the elastic plate 9 resets. The bottom of the elastic plate 9 can be placed in the positioning groove 11 to install the protective cover 6. After installation, the heat on the keyboard circuit board 5 can be conducted to the heat dissipation fins 17 through the heat conduction plate 16.

[0035] A fastening bolt 12 is inserted into a through hole at one end of the cover plate 3. The fastening bolt 12 is threaded to the inner wall of the groove in the main body 1 of the energy meter. The fastening bolt 12 facilitates the fixing of the cover plate 3 and the limiting operation of the keyboard assembly.

[0036] The heat sink includes a heat-conducting plate 16 and multiple heat sink fins 17. The bottom ends of the two base posts 13 are fixedly connected to the heat-conducting plate 16, and the multiple heat sink fins 17 are all fixedly connected to the heat-conducting plate 16.

[0037] Two elastic elements are fixedly connected to the bottom of the protective cover 6. The telescopic ends of the two elastic elements are fixedly connected to the heat dissipation element. Both longitudinal ends of the protective cover 6 have inwardly recessed hand slots 19. Multiple downwardly inclined heat dissipation holes 18 are opened on the inner wall of the hand slots 19. The heat dissipation holes 18 facilitate heat dissipation of the heat dissipation fins 17. Since the heat dissipation holes 18 are downwardly inclined, it is not easy for external water to enter the outer shell 4 through the heat dissipation holes 18. The elastic elements include a bottom post 13, a top post 14, and a spring 15. The top of the top post 14 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the protective cover 6. The bottom of the bottom post 13 is fixedly connected to the heat dissipation element. The top of the bottom post 13 is slidably set in the groove opened at the bottom of the top post 14. The two ends of the spring 15 are respectively fixed to the bottom wall of the groove opened at the top of the bottom post 13 and the bottom wall of the groove opened at the top of the top post 14. The spring 15 in the compressed state makes the heat conduction plate 16 tightly attached to the keyboard circuit board 5, which facilitates heat conduction.

[0038] The circuits and controls involved in this utility model are all existing technologies, and will not be described in detail here.

[0039] The above description is merely an embodiment of this utility model and does not limit the patent scope of this utility model. Any equivalent structural or procedural transformations made based on the content of this utility model specification and drawings, or direct or indirect applications in other related technical fields, are similarly included within the patent protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A prepayment meter with replaceable digital keypad, characterized in that, The device includes an electricity meter body (1), on which an installation groove (2) is provided. A keyboard assembly is installed in the installation groove (2). One end of the electricity meter body (1) is hinged to one end of a cover plate (3), and the other end of the cover plate (3) is detachably connected to the other end of the electricity meter body (1). The cover plate (3) is used to limit the position of the keyboard assembly.

2. The prepayment energy meter with replaceable digital keyboard according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer shell (4) has two elastic plates (9) fixedly connected to the top horizontal sides. The elastic plates (9) are inverted L-shaped structures and the top of the elastic plates (9) is arc-shaped. The protective cover (6) has two limiting grooves (10) on both horizontal sides. The inner wall of the limiting grooves (10) is provided with positioning grooves (11).

3. The prepayment energy meter with replaceable digital keyboard as claimed in claim 1 wherein, A fastening bolt (12) is inserted into a through hole at one end of the cover plate (3), and the fastening bolt (12) is threaded to the inner wall of a groove in the main body (1) of the electricity meter.

4. The prepayment energy meter with replaceable digital keyboard as claimed in claim 2, wherein, The protective cover (6) has two elastic elements fixedly connected to its bottom. The telescopic ends of the two elastic elements are fixedly connected to a heat dissipation element. Both longitudinal ends of the protective cover (6) have inwardly recessed hand-held grooves (19). Multiple downwardly inclined heat dissipation holes (18) are provided on the inner wall of the hand-held grooves (19).

5. The prepayment energy meter with replaceable digital keyboard according to claim 4, characterized in that, The elastic element includes a bottom post (13), a top post (14), and a spring (15). The top of the top post (14) is fixedly connected to the bottom of the protective cover (6). The bottom of the bottom post (13) is fixedly connected to the heat sink. The top of the bottom post (13) is slidably disposed in the groove opened at the bottom of the top post (14). The two ends of the spring (15) are respectively fixed to the bottom wall of the groove opened at the top of the bottom post (13) and the bottom wall of the groove of the top post (14).

6. The prepayment energy meter with replaceable digital keyboard according to claim 5, characterized in that, The heat dissipation component includes a heat-conducting plate (16) and multiple heat dissipation fins (17). The bottom ends of the two base pillars (13) are fixedly connected to the heat-conducting plate (16), and the multiple heat dissipation fins (17) are all fixedly connected to the heat-conducting plate (16).

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